INC Warns Against Impeachment Plot Targeting Rivers Governor Fubara

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has warned against moves to impeach Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saying the people of the state are opposed to the process and describing it as politically motivated.

The group cautioned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with former governor Nyesom Wike to abandon what it described as a futile exercise, warning that the impeachment attempt could further destabilise the state.

Similarly, the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council condemned the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly over impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, accusing lawmakers of acting out of personal interest rather than constitutional responsibility.

INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said the impeachment plot lacked public support and would ultimately fail. He described the process as an act of vendetta rather than a genuine attempt to strengthen democracy or accountability.

According to him, the participation of some lawmakers of Ijaw extraction in the process amounted to betrayal, insisting they do not represent the views or interests of the Ijaw people.

Okaba criticised what he described as a lack of principle among some legislators, alleging that certain members reversed their initial withdrawal from the impeachment process within days. He also accused lawmakers of benefiting materially while pushing the impeachment, citing alleged acceptance of official vehicles during the period of suspension.

He further alleged that the impeachment was being orchestrated by individuals seeking to advance future political ambitions, warning against using constitutional processes as a shortcut to power.

The INC leader also questioned the inclusion of the deputy governor in the impeachment process, insisting there was no justification for targeting her.

Supporting the INC’s position, a member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council, Anabs Sara-Igbe, described the impeachment attempt as embarrassing and harmful to governance in the state.

He accused lawmakers of undermining development and disregarding the federal intervention that restored calm following political unrest in the state. Sara-Igbe warned that continued pursuit of impeachment could trigger wider instability in Rivers State and beyond.

He also criticised early political activities by Minister Nyesom Wike and his allies, challenging them to make public any agreement allegedly breached by the governor.

Political observers note that the impeachment proceedings have deepened divisions within the state legislature and intensified debate over governance, political ambition and constitutional order in Rivers State.